NATI Bill Policy Summary

National Agency for Technology Incubation (Est. etc) Bill, 2019 (SB 18) 9th Senate, Federal Republic of Nigeria

What Is This Bill?

The National Agency for Technology Incubation (Est. etc) Bill, 2019 (SB 18) proposes to formally establish and legally empower a dedicated national agency to coordinate and manage technology incubation activities across Nigeria. The bill seeks to elevate the existing National Board for Technology Incubation (NBTI) — which has operated under the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology since 2005 — into a statutory agency with a strengthened mandate to commercialise research and development (R&D) outcomes, support technology-based startups, and drive enterprise development in all 36 states of the federation.

Who Does It Target?

Technology startups and early-stage innovation-based enterprises across all sectors Academic institutions, research centres, and universities generating R&D outputs Private sector entrepreneurs with validated local technologies or innovations Federal and state government agencies involved in science, technology, and innovation policy International development partners and investors in Nigeria's technology ecosystem Host communities in technology incubation centre locations nationwide

What Does It Aim to Achieve?

Establish a formal legal and institutional framework for the coordination of Nigeria's national technology incubation programme Accelerate the commercialisation of R&D results from universities, polytechnics, and research institutes Create and sustain Technology Incubation Centres (TICs) in all 36 states to nurture startups from inception to self-sustainability Foster effective linkages between technology providers, entrepreneurs, capital providers, and technical know-how Drive job creation, community development, and economic diversification through technology-based enterprise Promote Nigeria's indigenous technological potential through value-added, innovation-driven activities Align national technology incubation activities with the broader objectives of the National Policy on Science, Technology and Innovation

Key Features

Agency Establishment: Creates the National Agency for Technology Incubation as a body corporate with perpetual succession, replacing and upgrading the existing NBTI Board Nationwide TIC Network: Formalises the Technology Incubation Centre (TIC) network in each state of the federation as the primary delivery mechanism for enterprise incubation services R&D Commercialisation Mandate: Designates the agency as the sole government body mandated to coordinate R&D commercialisation and technology incubation across Nigeria Integrated Enterprise Support: Mandates provision of business development services, shared infrastructure, mentorship, and access to capital for incubatees Linkage with Academia and Industry: Institutionalises collaboration between research institutions, tertiary educational establishments, and private industry Governance Framework: Establishes a governing board, Director General, and clear administrative structures for accountability and transparent management Funding Provisions: Provides for a dedicated funding stream through government appropriations and self-generated revenues to ensure programme sustainability

Current Status

Legislative Stage: First Reading completed — 08 November 2019 (9th Senate). As of June 2021, no Second Reading or Committee referral has been recorded in the official progression chart Existing Operations: NBTI currently operates 36 Technology Incubation Centres — one in each state — under the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology, established progressively since 1993 Employment Impact: NBTI has facilitated over 22,000 direct jobs through its community incubation centres as of 2024 Programme Delivery: The Technology Incubation Programme (TIP) has successfully graduated numerous startups into profitable, self-sustaining enterprises Policy Alignment: The bill aligns with the Nigeria Startup Act 2022, which further incentivises incubators, accelerators, and innovation hubs under a complementary legislative framework Digitalisation Agenda: NBTI is currently transitioning its programme focus from traditional electromechanical technologies toward digital and emerging technologies

How to Access

Entrepreneurs & Startups: Apply for incubation admission at any of the 36 NBTI Technology Incubation Centres — eligibility is open to all Nigerians with validated R&D outcomes or local technology innovations Research Institutions: Engage NBTI to commercialise R&D outputs through joint commercialisation workshops and technology transfer partnerships Investors & Private Sector: Partner with NBTI under the Technology Incubation Programme for co-investment and enterprise development initiatives Government Agencies: Engage the Federal Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (FMSTI) and NBTI to align sectoral programmes with the incubation agenda Contact: National Board for Technology Incubation (NBTI) — nbti.gov.ng | Federal Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation: fmst.gov.ng

Important Terms

Technology Incubation: An enterprise support process that accelerates the development of start-up and fledgling companies by providing targeted resources, shared infrastructure, and services during the critical early stages Technology Incubation Centre (TIC): A physical facility established by NBTI in each state of Nigeria, where entrepreneurs with validated technologies receive nurturing support until their enterprise becomes self-sustaining R&D Commercialisation: The process of converting research and development outputs, scientific findings, or local innovations into marketable products, services, or enterprises Incubatee: A company or entrepreneur formally admitted into a Technology Incubation Centre to receive support under the Technology Incubation Programme

Impact & Metrics

Nigeria's NBTI has established 36 Technology Incubation Centres across all states, providing a national incubation infrastructure that few African nations match in geographical reach Over 22,000 direct jobs have been created through NBTI-supported enterprises since the programme's inception The Technology Incubation Programme has successfully graduated numerous enterprises into viable, commercially self-sustaining businesses Nigeria's Startup Act 2022 builds upon NBTI's mandate by adding over 10 billion naira annually to the Startup Investment Seed Fund, which supports incubators and accelerators The formalisation of the agency through this bill is expected to strengthen governance, increase funding certainty, and expand TIC capacity nationwide

Official Resources

Website: nbti.gov.ng | fmst.gov.ng | nass.gov.ng Bill Reference: SB 18, National Agency for Technology Incubation (Est. etc) Bill, 2019 — available via National Assembly of Nigeria Contact: National Board for Technology Incubation (NBTI), Federal Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation, Abuja Summary prepared using the Policy Summary Template | Source: SB 18 (9th Senate Bill Progression Chart, PLACNG, June 2019–June 2021), NBTI, Federal Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation, Nigeria Startup Act 2022 | March 2026

Legal Framework

The National Agency for Technology Incubation (NATI) Bill, when enacted, would operate under the National Information Technology Development Agency Act 2007, the Nigeria Startup Act 2022, and the Science and Technology Act. It aligns with the National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy 2020, the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria Act, and international technology incubation best practices from the International Business Innovation Association (InBIA) and UNCTAD entrepreneurship policy frameworks.